Dispensing device for drinks

ABSTRACT

Many kinds of dispensing devices for drinks or similar fluid foodstuffs, especially for coffee and/or milk are already known. Said devices comprise supply means for supplying at least two different hot drinks, filling outlets for dispensing hot drinks into at least one cup and valve means for stopping and releasing drink pipelines between the supply devices and the filling devices. According to the invention, in order to improve hygiene and product quality, the valve means are embodied in such a manner that additional pipelines for supplying and/or discharging flushing agents for cleaning, hot water or steam for preheating or other similar fluids, can be connected to the valve means instead of to the drinks pipelines in order to treat the valve means in the areas through which hot drinks flow. As a result, a rinsing process can be automatically controlled between two dispensing steps.

RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a dispensing device for drinks or similardosable liquid foodstuffs, in particular for coffee and/or milk orsimilar hot drinks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Dispensing devices of this kind are known in many forms. They are usednot only in self-service restaurants and canteens, but also in normalhotels and the like, with the result that fewer service personnel areneeded behind the counter.

So that on one hand several different drinks, or also mixed drinks, canbe dispensed while on the other hand it is not necessary to employ alarge number of “specialized” dispensing devices, dispensing devices aredesigned so that they can be switched into different modes. However,this involves many problems, which in particular are solved by thevarious valve mechanisms that are needed. For one thing, it turns outthat long pipelines are needed, which especially where hot drinks aredispensed is disadvantageous when the dispensing device is not usedcontinuously but rather at intervals, so that cooling effects becomenoticeable. For another, considerable hygiene-related problems arise,requiring laborious cleaning work that must performed by hand, which isseriously inconvenient where the operation is organized in shifts.

Hence it is the object of the invention to provide a dispensing devicethat enables correct operation of the dispensing device by simple means,with relatively little labor.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This object is achieved by a dispensing device for drinks or similardosable liquid foodstuffs, in particular for coffee and/or milk orsimilar hot drinks, in accordance with the present invention andcomprising a supply means adapted to supply at least two different hotdrinks; filling outlets adapted to dispense a hot drink into at leastone container; drink pipelines connecting the supply means to thefilling outlets; accessory pipelines for supplying and carrying away anaccessory fluid in the form of at least one of flushing agents forcleaning, hot water or steam for prewarming, or other similar fluid; andvalve means for stopping and opening said drink pipelines between thesupply means and the filling outlets, and adapted to connect saidaccessory pipelines to the valve means instead of the drink pipelines,in order to treat the valve means in the regions through which the hotdrinks flow.

The aim of the invention is that the conduits through which the hotdrinks flow, and which are emptied after a dispensing procedure, can berinsed automatically, i.e. without manually positioning containers tocollect the rinse water or connecting tubes to carry that water. As aresult, not only is an optimum achieved from a hygienic viewpoint, butalso the channels in which the hot drinks run can be warmed before adrink is dispensed. In this way two things can be ensured: optimalservicing of the dispensing device, of value in particular to themanager, and optimal quality of the drinks for the customer.

In an especially preferred embodiment of the invention the valve meanscomprise at least one sliding element that can be moved by a motor andincorporates at least two channels, each of which is associated with atleast one particular mode of operation for dispensing the hot drink whenin a first position, and when in a second position is connected to theaccessory pipeline. By means of such a sliding element, which preferablyis constructed as rotary disks, the number and size of “dead spots”(sites inaccessible by rinsing) can be reduced. Moreover, a particularlyhigh degree of variability of the supply and drainage pipelines becomespossible, so that a large number of supply means can be connected to alarge number of filling outlets, in various combinations.

The filling outlets are preferably disposed directly adjacent to thesliding element, so as to ensure extremely short pathways between thevalves formed by the sliding element and the filling outlets. This, inturn, optimizes the hygienic and qualitative properties of thedispensing device. Preferably two or more sliding elements are provided,containing channels such that two or more hot drinks can be sent to thesame filling outlet, either simultaneously or sequentially, as desired.This increases the versatility of the dispensing device.

The filling outlets are preferably provided with at least two flowchannels, separated in such a way that the hot drinks flowing throughthe separate channels are not mixed until they have left the fillingoutlets, i.e. mixing first occurs substantially within the container. Asa result it is possible to ensure an optimal consistency of the drinks,e.g. in the case of cappuccino or latte macchiato.

The channels are preferably connected to one another in such a way thatthe accessory fluid can be sent through several channels at the sametime. Thus in a single rinsing (or prewarming) process several channelscan be rinsed simultaneously, which results in a minimization of costsand also an acceleration of the work involved.

Preferably a single accessory pipeline is provided to drain theaccessory fluid away, such that the accessory fluid can be sent throughthe drink pipelines and the drink pipelines can be blocked off directlyahead (in the direction of flow) of the inflow openings for theaccessory fluid). Hence the accessory fluid can be admitted to thesystem either directly at the slider or—as indicated here—upstream ofthese valve means, substantially immediately after the point in thesupply means at which their first dispensing valve is located. Thisenables optimal cleaning of the complete set of pipelines used forfoodstuffs.

Preferably control means are provided and so designed that after a(each) drinks-dispensing procedure a rinsing procedure is carried out.As a result, hygiene is maximized.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described by way ofexample with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of part of a dispensing device, partly in section,

FIG. 2 is a view along the line II-II in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a view along the line III-III in FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a perspective drawing of the arrangement according to FIGS. 1to 3,

FIG. 5 is a front view in which is indicated the arrangement of thechannels for “coffee dispensing double”,

FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 for “coffee dispensing single”,

FIG. 7 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 for “rinsing coffee side”,

FIG. 8 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 for “milk dispensing double”,

FIG. 9 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 for “milk dispensing single”,

FIG. 10 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 for “rinsing milk side”,

FIG. 11 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 for “coffee dispensing double(one cup)”,

FIG. 12 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 for “coffee dispensing single(one cup)”,

FIG. 13 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 for “rinsing coffee side”,

FIG. 14 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 for “milk dispensing double”,

FIG. 15 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 for “milk dispensing single”,

FIG. 16 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 for “rinsing milk side”,

FIG. 17 is a perspective view indicating channels for “dispensing coffeedouble”,

FIG. 18 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 for “dispensing coffeedouble”,

FIG. 19 is a sectional view of the arrangement according to FIG. 18along the line XIX-XIX in FIG. 18,

FIG. 20 is a schematic side view similar to FIG. 19, in which thechannels are represented,

FIG. 21 is a perspective drawing according to FIG. 17 for “dispensingmilk double”,

FIG. 22 is a drawing corresponding to FIG. 18 for the function accordingto FIG. 21,

FIG. 23 is a sectional drawing along the line XXIII-XXIII in FIG. 22,

FIG. 24 is a drawing corresponding to FIG. 20 for the arrangementaccording to FIG. 21,

FIG. 25 is a drawing according to FIG. 17 for “dispensing coffeesingle”,

FIG. 26 is a drawing corresponding to FIG. 18 for the arrangementaccording to FIG. 25,

FIG. 27 is a sectional drawing along the line XXVII-XXVII in FIG. 26,

FIG. 28 is a drawing corresponding to FIG. 20 for the arrangementaccording to FIG. 25,

FIG. 29 is a drawing corresponding to FIG. 17 for “dispensing milksingle”,

FIG. 30 is a drawing corresponding to FIG. 18 for the arrangementaccording to FIG. 29,

FIG. 31 is a section along the line XXXI-XXXI in FIG. 30,

FIG. 32 is a drawing corresponding to FIG. 20 for the arrangementaccording to FIG. 29,

FIG. 33 is a drawing corresponding to FIG. 17 for “rinsing coffee side”,

FIG. 34 is a drawing corresponding to FIG. 18 for the arrangementaccording to FIG. 33,

FIG. 35 is a section along the line XXXV-XXXV in FIG. 34,

FIG. 36 is a drawing corresponding to FIG. 20 for the arrangementaccording to FIG. 33,

FIG. 37 is a drawing corresponding to FIG. 17 for the function “rinsingmilk side”,

FIG. 38 is a drawing corresponding to FIG. 18 for the arrangementaccording to FIG. 37,

FIG. 39 is a section along the line XXXIX-XXXIX in FIG. 38,

FIG. 40 is a drawing corresponding to FIG. 20 for the arrangementaccording to FIG. 37,

FIG. 41 is a drawing corresponding to FIG. 18 for the function“simultaneous dispensing of milk and coffee”, and

FIG. 42 is a drawing corresponding to FIG. 20 for the arrangementaccording to FIG. 41.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, the same reference numerals are used foridentical parts or parts with identical actions.

It should be noted that although the example of a coffee machine shownhere is designed to dispense coffee/espresso and milk, it will beclearly evident to a person skilled in the art that the constructionshown in principle here can be modified in many ways, in particular fordispensing a greater variety of “drinks” or also other liquidfoodstuffs. Therefore when in the following reference is always made to“coffee” and “milk”, this does not restrict the invention to these kindsof drinks. “Coffee” is here intended also to denote in particularespresso, which together with milk and, where appropriate, a foamingmeans, can be further processed as espresso or latte macchiato.

FIG. 1 shows a major element of a dispensing device in a (partiallysectioned) side view; the same device is shown again in FIGS. 2 and 3,in front view together with control elements and in plan view,respectively.

According to FIGS. 1 to 3, the dispensing device comprises a stationarystand 27 to which is attached, by way of a valve holder 26, a valvemeans 30 that comprises an outflow block 31 fixed to the valve holder26; disposed on a first and a second side of the outflow block are afirst rotary disk 40 and a second rotary disk 50, respectively. To theoutflow block 31 are attached filling outlets 20, 20′, below whichcontainers 1, 2 can be placed. Each of the filling outlets 20, 20′comprises a first flow channel 21 and a second flow channel 22, whichare each connected to a channel in the outflow block 31 and which joinone another at the very end of the filling outlet 20, 20′, i.e. justabove the container 1, 2.

The two disks 40, 50 are mounted on the shaft 25 and can be rotatedtogether by a motor 24.

The entire arrangement that is fixed to the valve holder 26 can be movedup and down by a vertical drive mechanism 28, to ensure that the fillingoutlets 20, 20′ can be adjusted so that no splashes are caused duringthe dispensing process, and optimal mixing/filling is produced. On theoutflow block 31 are a first inlet 36 and a second inlet 37, which areconnected to a first supply means 5 (in this case for espresso orcoffee) and a second supply means 6 (in this case for milk), by way ofdrink pipelines 9 and valves 7, 8. Into the drink pipelines 9 open afirst accessory pipeline 11 and a second accessory pipeline 12, by wayof a first accessory valve 13 and a second accessory valve 14; thesepipelines carry an accessory fluid from an accessory-fluid supply 10,which provides water, steam, a flushing agent or a mixture thereof. Thevalves 7, 8, 13, 14 and the motor 24 to adjust the valve means 30 arecontrolled by a controller 3, which can be operated by way of a keyboard4. The controller 3 contains control programs for setting the valves orthe valve means 30, with its rotary disks 40 and 50; these programs arestored in programmable memory areas or else in permanently preprogrammedmemory, in which case the programming is done by the manufacturer of thedispensing device. The programs are such that when a request for aparticular drink is input by way of the keyboard 4, the valves or valvemeans are set appropriately for that drink, and the desired drinks flowthrough the pipelines for a particular period of time, in order todispense a predetermined amount.

Also connected to the outflow block 31 is a drainage pipeline 15connected to a waste-water channel, so that accessory fluid (e.g., aflushing agent) flowing through the pipelines and channels illustratedand described here can be removed, without passing through the fillingoutlets 20, 20′. The basic construction just described is shown again,in perspective, in FIG. 4.

In the following, the function of the valve means 30 during dispensingand cleaning cycles is summarily described for the types of drinksdescribed here, namely coffee and milk, with reference to FIGS. 5 to 16;a more detailed description is given subsequently. In FIGS. 5 to 7 and11 to 13 are shown the channels that are disposed in the first rotarydisk 40 and can be connected to the first inlet 36, whereas FIGS. 8 to10 and 14 to 16 show the channels disposed in the second rotary disk 50and connectable to the second inlet 37, in each case indicated by dashedlines. Channels provided in the outflow block 31 appear in all FIGS. 5to 16 (solid lines).

FIGS. 5 and 11 represent the process of dispensing a “coffee double”, inwhich coffee flows into the first inlet 36 and through the two fillingoutlets 20, 20′, into a container 1, 2.

FIGS. 6 and 12 illustrate the case in which coffee flows into the firstinlet 36 and enters the container 1 through only one filling outlet 20.

In FIGS. 7 and 13 is shown the case in which, instead of coffee, hotwater and/or a flushing agent enters the first inlet 36 (with valve 7closed and valve 13 opened) and then, after flowing through the channelsshown as dispensing coffee in FIGS. 11 and 12, is carried away in thedrainage pipeline 15.

Similarly, FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, as well as 14, 15 and 16, illustrate thedispensing of milk, which enters through the second inlet 37 and passesthrough a filling outlet 20 or two filling outlets 20, 20′, as well asthe rinsing of channels that had previously contained milk by a flushingagent, which (with valve 8 closed and valve 14 opened) flows through thesecond inlet 37 and is carried away in the drainage pipeline 15.

In the following, with reference to FIGS. 17 to 20, the function “coffeedouble” mentioned with reference to FIG. 11 is explained in greaterdetail. At this juncture it should be pointed out that FIGS. 17 to 40always show only the outflow block 31 and one of the rotary disks 40 or50, depending on which of them is necessary for the function beingdescribed.

As shown in FIGS. 17 to 20, the first disk 40 is closely apposed to onevertical surface of the outflow block 31 and is seated on the shaft 25,so that it can be rotated by the motor 24. On the block surface thatfaces the first disk 40 are situated channels 32 (first channel) and 33(second channel), each of which opens into the first disk 40. In thesurface of the first disk 40 that faces the outflow block 31 a firstchannel 41 and a second channel 42 are inserted. The first inlet 36attached to the outflow block 31 is opened by way of bores to thevertical surface of the outflow block 31 that faces toward the firstdisk 40.

The filling outlets 20, 20′ attached to the outflow block 31, i.e. theirfirst flow channels 21, are likewise in communication, by way of bores,with the surface of the outflow block 31 that faces toward the firstdisk 40.

The drainage pipeline 15, which is also disposed in the outflow block31, communicates by way of bores (which are especially clearlyillustrated in FIG. 19) with both vertical surfaces of the outflow block31.

In the functional setting “coffee double” shown in FIGS. 17 to 20,coffee flows through the first inlet 36 and the bores provided in theoutflow block 31 to the surface of the outflow block 31 and from there,when the first disk 40 is in the rotational position shown in thefigures, enters the first channel 41 as well as, in parallel thereto,the second channel 42 in the first disk 40. From these channels thecoffee flows into the first channels 21 of the filling outlets 20, 20′and on into the cups 1, 2 positioned below them. Hence this functioncorresponds to that shown in FIG. 11.

In FIGS. 21 to 24 is shown the analogous function “milk double”, inwhich milk is put into the two cups 1, 2. For this purpose the secondrotary disk 50, which is positioned opposite to the first disk 40 on theother vertical surface of the outflow block 31, comprises a firstchannel 51 and a second channel 52, which are open toward the surface ofthe outflow block 31. Corresponding channels that are open toward thesecond disk 50 are provided in the outflow block 31, namely channels 34(third channel) and 35 (fourth channel); the third channel 34communicates at its end with the second inlet 37.

The second flow channels 22 of the filling outlets 20, 20′, which aredisposed in the outflow block 31, are open by way of bores to thesurface of the outflow block 31 to which the second disk 50 is apposed.

In the functional setting “milk double” the milk passes through thesecond inlet 37, the channels 51 and 52 (parallel) and the second flowchannels 22 into the cups 1, 2. This functional setting thus correspondsto that shown in FIG. 14.

In the functional setting “coffee single” shown in FIGS. 25 to 28, whichcorresponds to FIG. 12, the coffee passes from the first inlet 36through a section of the second channel 42 in the first disk 40 until itreaches the first flow channel 21 of the filling outlet 20, throughwhich it flows into the cup 1 positioned under the outlet.

FIGS. 29 to 32 show the analogous functional setting corresponding toFIG. 15, i.e. the functional setting “milk single”, in which milk flowsthrough the second inlet 37, a section of the second channel 52 in thesecond disk 50 and the second flow channel 22 of the filling outlet 20,before entering the cup 1.

In the following, the functional setting “rinsing coffee” (correspondingto FIG. 13) is explained with reference to FIGS. 33 to 36.

In this functional setting the valve 7 is closed and the valve 13 isopened, so that the accessory-fluid supply 10 is in communication withthe first inlet 36 in the outflow block 31 by way of the firstsupplementary pipeline 11 and the drink pipeline 9. From the first inlet36, the cleaning fluid flows through the first channel 32 in the outflowblock 31 into one end of the first channel 41 in the first rotary disk40 and on through that channel; emerging from its other end, it entersthe second channel 33 in the outflow block 31 and passes from there intothe first end of the second channel 42 in the first disk 40 and out ofits second end into the drainage pipeline 15, through the associatedbores in the outflow block 31. In this way all of the channels that comeinto contact with coffee while that drink is being dispensed are rinsedwith cleaning fluid.

For this purpose the controller 3 is designed so that after every drinkhas been dispensed (e.g. FIG. 11 or FIG. 12) cleaning (FIG. 13; FIGS. 33to 36) of the relevant channels occurs before a new dispensing processis initiated.

In the function illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 37 to 40, namely “rinsingmilk”, the channels through which milk has previously flowed (FIG. 14 or15) are rinsed in an analogous manner. With valve 8 closed and valve 14opened, therefore, the cleaning fluid flows into the second inlet 37 andfrom there into one end of the channel 34 in the outflow block 31, outof its other end into one end of the first channel 51 in the secondrotary disk 50, out of its second end through the fourth channel 35 inthe outflow block and into the first end of the second channel 52 in thesecond disk 50, and finally through its second end into the bores of thedrainage pipeline 15, to be discarded. Here, again, the cleaning fluidpasses through all of the channels through which milk had previouslyflowed (see FIGS. 14 and 21 to 24 as well as FIGS. 15 and 29 to 32).

Finally, FIGS. 41 and 42 show how the rotary disks 40 and 50 arepositioned, i.e. the channels are arranged, in order to fill containers1, 2 with coffee and milk simultaneously. The positions here correspondto a combination of the positions shown in FIGS. 11 and 14 as well as 17to 20 and 21 to 24, with the difference that the first inlet 36 issupplied with coffee and at the same time the second inlet 37 issupplied with milk, by opening the valves 7 and 8 (while valves 13 and14 are closed). The associated rinsing process corresponds to acombination of the previously illustrated rinsing processes according toFIGS. 13 and 16 as well as 33 to 36 and 37 to 40.

It can be seen from the above that in the embodiment presented here thetwo rotary disks 40 and 50 can be rigidly connected to one another. Ofcourse it is also possible to control the two disks 40 and 50 separatelyfrom one another, so that still other valve routes or channels can beprovided in the disks.

In addition to the rinsing process after every drink-dispensingprocedure (or after a larger group of dispensing procedures), in whichall the channels through which drinks had previously flowed are rinsedwithout dead zones, so to speak, it is also possible to take thearrangement apart completely with relatively few manipulations, in orderto gain access to the channels that open to the exterior. However, thisis in general not necessary, because the rinsing encompasses all theregions through which foodstuffs flow.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   -   1 Container 34 3rd channel    -   2 Container 35 4th channel    -   3 Controller 36 1st inlet    -   4 Keyboard 37 2nd inlet    -   1st supply means 40 1st rotary disk    -   6 2nd supply means 41 1st channel    -   7 1st valve 42 2nd channel    -   8 2nd valve 50 2nd rotary disk    -   9 Drink pipeline 51 1st channel    -   10 Supplementary-fluid supply 52 2nd channel    -   11 1st supplementary pipeline    -   12 2nd supplementary pipeline    -   13 1st supplementary valve    -   14 2nd supplementary valve    -   15 Drainage pipeline    -   20, 20′ Filling outlet    -   21 1st flow channel    -   22 2nd flow channel    -   24 Motor    -   25 Shaft    -   26 Valve holder    -   27 Stand    -   28 Vertical drive    -   30 Valve means    -   31 Outflow block    -   32 1st channel    -   33 2nd channel

1. Dispensing device for drinks or similar dosable liquid foodstuffs comprising supply means adapted to supply at least two different drinks; filling outlets adapted to dispense a drink into at least one container; drink pipelines connecting the supply means to the filling outlets; accessory pipelines for supplying and carrying away an accessory fluid from an accessory fluid supply, in the form of at least one of flushing agents for cleaning, hot water or steam for prewarming, or other similar fluid; and valve means for closing and opening said drink pipelines between the supply means and the filling outlets and adapted to open said accessory pipelines to the valve means instead of the drink pipelines in order to treat the valve means in the regions through which the drinks flow; wherein the valve means comprises at least one movable element and a motor for moving said movable element, and defines at least two channels each of which in a first position of said movable element is assigned to at least one particular mode of operation for dispensing the drink, and in a second position of said movable element is connected to the accessory pipelines.
 2. Dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the movable element is constructed as a rotary disk.
 3. Dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the filling outlets are mounted directly adjacent to said movable element.
 4. Dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein at least two of said movable elements are provided and each defines channels such that two or more drinks can be supplied to the same filling outlets either simultaneously or sequentially, as desired.
 5. Dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein said channels can be connected to one another in such a way that said accessory fluid can flow through several channels simultaneously.
 6. Dispensing device for drinks or similar dosable liquid foodstuffs comprising: supply means adapted to supply at least two different drinks; filling outlets adapted to dispense a drink into at least one container; drink pipelines connecting the supply means to the filling outlets; accessory pipelines for supplying and carrying away an accessory fluid from an accessory fluid supply, in the form of at least one of flushing agents for cleaning, hot water or steam for prewarming, or other similar fluid; and valve means for closing and opening said drink pipelines between the supply means and the filling outlets and adapted to open said accessory pipelines to the valve means instead of the drink pipelines in order to treat the valve means in the regions through which the drinks flow; wherein one of said accessory pipelines is provided to carry away said accessory fluid, which can be passed through said drink pipelines, and means being provided to block off said drink pipelines at a site directly ahead, in the flow direction, of inflow openings provided for the accessory fluid. 